Japanese grammar
What does ～すぎない mean? Japanese grammar N3
～すぎない means nothing more than; merely; just.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N3 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N／plain form + にすぎない |
| Romaji | suginai |
| Meaning | nothing more than; merely; just |
Forming it
| Connection | N／plain form + にすぎない |
|---|
How to use it
Diminishes value: it's only..., nothing more. Carries a nuance of downplaying/modesty.
- 「～にすぎない」 = it's only A, nothing more. Emphasizes that A has little value/is smaller than one might think.
- Used to downplay something (「うわさにすぎない」) or to be modest about oneself.
- Different from 「～だけだ」 (states a neutral limit): 「にすぎない」 always carries a low EVALUATION.
Examples
それはうわさにすぎません。
That is nothing more than a rumor.
私が知っているのは一部にすぎない。
What I know is only one part.
Keep in mind
- Always carries a tone of downplaying or modesty.
- More formal than 「だけだ」.
Common mistakes
-
Wrongそれはうわさをすぎません。
Correctそれはうわさにすぎません。
The "it's only" pattern uses にすぎない, not を.
Exam tips
- 「にすぎない」 = it's only... (downplays value); different from the neutral 「だけだ」.